LAND AND SURVEY DEPARTMENT
LAWAS: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg has approved additional manpower for Sarawak Land and Survey Department’s (JTS) research and development (R&D) and engineering branches.
He said that he very much believed in R&D, adding that holistic research was required to bring about development.
“With regard to land management, you have to do a lot of research in terms of information system,” he said when officiating at JTS’ Innovation and Integrity Day 2020 at Hotel Seri Malaysia here today.
He said much research would need to be conducted to explore the right system and software.
“Then, you can converge all your data into Big Data, and that will be a basis for you to decide whether you want to approve any projects in a particular locality.”
At the same time, he emphasised on systematic planning. He said that in urban planning, all aspects had to be considered and properly planned – such as population, traffic systems, and system integration.
“In this matter, I think your R&D has to be there,” he said, also emphasising that additional manpower engaged for both R&D and engineering branches should be technologically literate.
He said that in the implementation of the coastal road, such aspects had been considered in order to link road systems with areas with growth potential in tourism and agriculture.
According to Abang Johari, funding for this would not be an issue, pointing out that RM3.1bil State sales tax had been paid to Sarawak by Petronas and other oil companies operating in the state.
“That is just for the one year. Assuming that we get about RM3bil (every year), in five years this would be RM15bil additional revenue which we will use to develop our state.
“Then, within these five years, we may get extra revenue – this is what we call revenue engineering. I believe we can further add to our revenue. Thus, I agree to expand JTS’ R&D and engineering team.”
Earlier in his speech, Sarawak JTS director Abdullah Julaihi appealed for manpower capacity to be increased for its R&D and engineering branches in order to improve efficiency.
He pointed out that the engineering branch was small compared to other branches in JTS and yet it faced an increasing and challenging workload. He also said that the need for R&D in JTS was increasing.
“The rapid development of technology as well as the needs of the people who want fast, reliable, and trusted services requires JTS to always conduct research to review related procedures to ensure that they are always relevant to current developments.”
Also present at the ceremony were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang and other representatives.
